ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The optimal initial treatment for burn wound is generally applying cold running tap water of temperature 12~18degrees C for approximately 20 minutes. But most of the patients are not susceptible to this initial treatment because they are likely to get embarrassed in such situation. According to statistics of our hospital, 92.2% of patients who visited ER (emergency room) had less than 10 minutes of water cooling. In this study, our aim was to find out the clinical effect of biocellulose sheet (Bestian M(R) pack) as an emergent treatment. METHODS: Between November 2010 and October 2011, 93 patients with burn wound showing first or superficial second degree at first inspection were evaluated in our study. Biocellulose sheet (Bestian M(R) pack) was applied at the wound as soon as possible for 25 minutes and second inspection was done. Routine moisture dressing was done thereafter and patients were followed as outpatient. RESULTS: Among 93 patients, 28 were male and 65 were female. Scalding burn, contact burn, flame burn and other causes were 78, 6, 4 and 5 patients respectively. Average complete healing time was 7.99 days and average follow-up time was 5.49. CONCLUSION: Biocellulose sheet has the effect of cooling down the skin temperature up to 6~8degrees C after 10 minutes of its application. Recent studies reported that appropriate cooling in burn wound improves the zone of stasis and zone of erythema histologically eventually reducing the chance of skin graft. Therefore, biocellulose sheet has the effect of improving initial pain, histologic status, healing time and cost in patients with burn wound whose depth is not deep. Furthermore it reduces the risk of scar formation.